WP4 – Task 4.2, 4.3 LCA Activities

2 Contents EcoPlasBrick panel general description LCA – Phases LCA – Goal and scope LCA – Inventory Analysis (LCI) LCA – Impact Assessment (LCIA) LCA – Interpretation Status in brief

2 EcoPlasBrick panel general description In particular, the LCA will be performed on a specific panel used for vertical indoor rooms division. In the following are provided brief descriptions for the LCA phases, and the results achieved up to now The panel is made of a core of mixed recycled plastic waste (densified) roughly grinded, welded through temperature and pressure with one or two face-sheets (skins) of plasterboard. Metal profiles are inserted between the core layer and the skins as reinforcement of the panel.

2 LCA – Phases The LCA study is performed in accordance with internationally recognized guidelines (ILCD Handbook: General guide for Life Cycle Assessment - Detailed guidance) and standards (ISO 14044:2006 and ISO 14040:2006). It is structured in a series of steps, which are: 1. LCA goal & scope definition 2. Inventory analysis (LCI) 3. Impact assessment (LCIA)4. Interpretation Goal and scope definition Inventory analysis Impact assessment Results interpretation and improvement analysis

3 LCA – Phases Study scope Study scope System limits System limits Functional unit Functional unit System functions System functions Energy flows Energy flows Material flows Material flows Emissions Emissions Assessment method application Assessment method application 2 step 3 step 4 step Identification of strategy intervention Identification of strategy intervention 1 step

3 LCA – Goal and scope Goal and Scope definition phase aims to define how big part of product life cycle will be taken in assessment and to what will assessment be serving. The criteria identified and specific time horizon are described in this step. In particular, the analysis of the energetic and environmental impacts of the innovative recycled plastic based panel has been performed, considering “Cradle to grave” life cycle: Production process Use phase End of life

3 LCA – Goal and scope In order to perform the LCA, a proper Functional Unit has been defined Functional unit is represented by 0,5 m 2 of panel surface, with 0,1 m of thickness and 23 kg of weight. All data regarding materials and energy consumption will be referred directly or through a proportion, to this functional unit All calculated impacts (e.g. global warming potential, acidification potential, eutrophication potential, use of non renewable resources, etc.) will be referred to the selected functional unit

3 LCA – Inventory analysis (LCI) Inventory analysis is the description of material and energy flows within the product system and especially its interaction with environment, consumed raw materials and emissions to the environment. All important processes and subsidiary energy and material flows are described here. In the following all the collected information on the EcoPlasBrick panel are reported.

2 Main components of the panel: Skin material constituted by 1 cm (thickness) of plasterboard on both side of the panel. The plasterboard density is 800 kg/m 3. It is provided by local producers. Core material made of 8 cm (thickness) of densified mixed plastic waste with a polyurethane foam. The core total density is 300 kg/m 3. Metal profiles constituted by: Hollow structural section rectangular cold formed according UNI (50x30x1.2): total weight 5.70 kg; 2 steel plates (80x60x5)mm: total weight 0.37 kg; 32 cm of weld; 8 anchor screws. Provided by local producers. LCA – Inventory analysis (LCI)

2 Core composition: Densified material: Aggregate density: 200 kg/m3 Transported from Treviso (Centro Riciclo Vedelago) Available LCA for other data Two-components Polyurethane foam: Polyurethane density: 100 kg/m3 The two components-polyurethane foam has to be stored at a temperature of -5°C than room temperature Transported from Reggio Emilia (Knauf insulation, Turin) LCA – Inventory analysis (LCI)

2 Production process of the panel: A first layer of skin (plasterboard) is placed in a mold. The densified material-polyurethane mix is put on the skin layer in the mold. The second layer of skin is placed on the mixture. The panel made of the three layers is pressed by using a press (1,5 CV) for 15 seconds, or using simple clamps. The cure phase takes around 30 minutes at room temperature. LCA – Inventory analysis (LCI)

3 Model elaboration – Block flow diagram Modeling Software and Database

3 Impact assessment is based on the details from Inventory Analysis. LCA – Impact Assessment (LCIA) Impact category (ILCD guidelines)Units EDIP 2003, Stratospheric ozone depletion[kg R11-Equiv.] Acidification, accumulated exceedance [Moles of N or S- Equiv.] CML2002 Resource Depletion, fossil and mineral, reserve Based[kg Sb-Equiv.] IPCC global warming, incl biogenic carbon[kg CO2-Equiv.] Particulate matter/Respiratory inorganics, RiskPoll[kg PM2,5-Equiv.] Terrestrial eutrophication, accumulated exceedance [Moles of N or S- Equiv.] Total freshwater consumption, including rainwater (acc. to UBP 2006)[kg] ReCiPe 1.07 Midpoint (H) - Freshwater eutrophication[kg P eq] ReCiPe 1.07 Midpoint (H) - Ionising radiation[kg U235 eq] ReCiPe 1.07 Midpoint (H) - Photochemical oxidant formation[kg NMVOC] USEtox, Ecotoxicity (recommended)[CTUeco] USEtox, Human toxicity, cancer (recommended)[CTUh] USEtox, Human toxicity, non-canc. (recommended)[CTUh] Land Transformation Indicator[sqm]

3 The indicator results of all impact categories for Panel manufacturing, Use phase and End of Life are here reported: LCA – Impact Assessment (LCIA) results

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3 Interpretation of life cycle involve critical review, determination of data sensitivity and result presentation. LCA – Interpretation

3 Status in brief LCA PhaseReport Delivery Goal and Scope DefinitionD November Inventory analysis D November Models preparation Impact assessmentD November InterpretationD4.3 January

3 Daniela Reccardo Serena Pagliula